Time limits for repayment claims

Some charities may lose out on valuable repayments if they don’t make their claims in time.

The time limits have always existed but changes in the Gift Aid system in April 2000 made it possible for donors to backdate Gift Aid declarations for up to six years. Many charities will be reviewing their records to make sure that they have claimed for as many donations as possible so it is important to know when the deadlines will have an impact on your charity as time is running out on the earliest years covered by new Gift Aid.

The deadlines are different for charities which are trusts and charities which are companies so it is important that you know which rules apply to your charity. This can be confusing, but it depends on how your charity has been set up. If your charity has been established by a Trust deed or a will then you will be a charitable Trust. All other charities will be treated as companies for tax purposes.
If you are in any doubt, please check with your accountant or legal advisor.


Time limits for Charitable Trusts

If your charity is a trust then you start with the tax year to which your claim relates. You then have 5 years from the 31 January in the year following that year to make your claim.

example:

  • tax year to 5 April 2001,
  • the 31 January following is 31/1/2002
  • add on 5 years and you must make your claim by 31/1/2007.

Time limit for Charitable Companies

If your charity a company for tax purposes, then the starting point is the end of your accounting period for the year to which your claim relates.
You must make your claim within 6 years of the end of that accounting period.

examples:

  1. (a) accounting period (AP)ending on 31March,
    (b) the first AP after the start of new Gift Aid is that ended on 31/3/2001
    (c) you must make you claim by 31 March 2007.
  2. (a) accounting period ending on 31 December
    (b) The earliest accounting period for which a claim will be in time is that ending on 31/12/2001
    (c) You must make your claim by 31/12/2007
    (d) You have already have missed the deadline for your first accounting period covered by new Gift Aid (31/12/2000)

Further assistance

If you are need any help to work out how these deadlines affect your charity please telephone our charities helpline which is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday.
It would be helpful if you have the following information ready:

  • Your charity’s status as either a company or a Trust
  • If you are a company your accounting period end date.